I never really thought that holistic medicine worked. I go to the doctor, he gives me a prescription, and eventually my ailment goes away. But these days, getting injured lasts a lot longer than it used to.
When I went to the Blogher ’11 Conference in San Diego this past August, I met up with a couple of women who represented Boiron products. They told me that the FDA regulates homeopathic medicines and that they make a series of these products especially for athletes and runners. That piqued my interest.
I’m always in pain. It’s the pain that you get when you work out. There are times that the backs of my legs hurt or my butt hurts so badly that I can’t sit down.
The other day, the Boiron products arrived at my office for review. It just so happened that I was very achy from the workout I did with my trainer. The Boiron products were there to my rescue.
The first thing I tried was their Arnicare tablets. This is a non-drowsy medicine with no side effects and works naturally with your body. It’s specifically for neck, back, shoulder, and leg pain. It’s also good for bruising.
The instructions said to take two and let it dissolve in your mouth. I liked that since I find it difficult swallowing oral medication. The directions also said that you should take two every hour for two more hours. After that take two tablets every six hours.
I tried it and you know what? It worked. The pain that I was feeling went away. I was so excited.
The company also sent me Arnicare Gel. What I liked about it was that it wasn’t greasy and easily washed off my hands. It also didn’t have a strong menthol smell like many of the other leading brands. Last night, I woke up with a terrible backache. I felt that my back was pulling and I was uncomfortable. After several minutes of applying the Arnicare Gel, I felt so much better and was able to fall back asleep.
Wow, I guess there is something to these holistic medicines! I’m looking forward to trying out Sportenine for cramps, aches, exhaustion, pain, and muscular fatigue before I work out. On my next long run, I will definitely try it and report back.
Article comments
1 - Peter
Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by over 200 million people worldwide. It has a laudable and extensively documented clinical record and there are literally hundreds of high quality, peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing its effects.
For more information on this system and the extensive research supporting efficacy, please visit National Center for Homeopathy.
2 - Hilary Topper
Thanks Peter for your comments...
3 - Kirion
Well, duh! Placebo works!
4 - anarchic teapot
"the FDA regulates homeopathic medicines" - Yes, but only inasmuch as it won't let someone put something dangerous on the market. The FDA doesn't consider sugar pills dangerous, as long as they're not marketed as drugs. End of story.
Nice puff piece, though. I'd advise checking up on the meaning of holistic, though.
5 - Dr Gary K
Homeopathy is regulated by the FDA and has been regulated by them longer than the pharmaceutical industry.
Each remedy has to be approved by the FDA, with documentation proving its validity or it is not allowed on the market.
These medicines are very effective, safe and are easy to use.
I am glad you had a positive experience. Isn't it great that these "sugar pills" or ointment helped your discomfort without taking a strong drug that could cause GI bleeding or stress your liver?
6 - Hilary Topper
Thanks Dr. Gary K. I think I would rather take something that won't hurt me in the long run... Appreciate your input!
7 - L.H. Olavius
When someone terms homeopathic remedies as "sugar pills" or state there is nothing in them it is not a correct statement.
Homeopathic remedies comes in many potencies - from lower X (1 to 10) to higher C (1 to 100).
8 - anarchic teapot
s you get older, you recover less quickly from strain and injury. If you're always sore after working out, you're either (a) doing it very wrong or (b) not doing it often enough.
"These medicines are very effective"
They're not medicines. Show me where on Boiron's site these are called medicines. Go on. I'm sure the FDA would love to know.
9 - anarchic teapot
@L.H. Olavius
Sugar pills: please refer to Boiron's own description of, e.g. Oscillococcinum. They state quite clearly that each 1g pill contains 1g of sugar. No mention is made of *anything else*.
10 - Cathy
Glad you have caught on! I have been using homeopathy with great results on myself, my family, and my pets for over 20 years. I don't think that animals are susceptible to the placebo effect....
11 - avishay kaminer
thank you very much for this valuable info. many people i know could finally use this amazing product and make their life easier, nicer, and most important- with much less pain. Homeopathy is the best way to treat such pains.
thanks a lot again
Avishay